The Lighthouse Keeper's Cat by Ronda and David Armitage (Scholastic Children's Books)

Hamish is a rather well fed and content cat, that is until the day he overhears his master and mistress (the Lighthouse Keeper and his Wife) discussing how they can get their fat puss to catch a few mice and earn his keep by putting him on a diet.

Hamish is a cat of leisure, and so decides to run away from home rather than scoff mice. He travels far and wide, and soon realises just how cushy his previous life was.

Ronda and David Armitage have produced a whole series of 'Lighthouse Keeper' books. Idyllic and charming (though I have to admit to finding Hamish's weird anthropomorphised face a bit offputting), they are perfect for sunny lazy days (and it seems at last we're getting a summer of sorts, so picking this up from the library was well timed!)

What happens to Hamish on his travels? You know us, we're not going to spoil it for you but this is a rather lovely little tale that makes us want to hunt out the rest of the Lighthouse Keeper series.

Charlotte's best bit: Hamish and the 'bad cats'

Daddy's favourite bit: David Armitage's lovely atmospheric illustrations positively reek of suncream, summer sunshine and the briny seaside.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars